Vietnamese Couple Models Ao Dai Across The Globe

''Ao Dai 100" is the idea of bringing Ao Dai to 100 famous places in the world to promote the beauty of Vietnamese traditional clothes. This idea was started by 41-year-old Hoang Thanh Tung with his wife, Quynh Nguyen, in May 2018.

Tung shared that 6 years ago, controversy arose on social networks related to Ao Dai in some fashion shows abroad. At that time, he came up with the idea to introduce to the world the beauty of Ao Dai through the art of photography.

As of February 2020, he and his wife have been to 12 countries and taken 28 photo sets at different destinations. After that, this project had to be paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic and was resumed again in 2023.

“It started out as just photos taken on a trip and it wasn't until the 5th - 6th photo sets that my wife and I decided to take the project seriously to spread our love for Vietnamese Ao Dai to the world," Tung said. "There are regrets because I have not gone to all the beautiful places that I could take pictures with. 100 “destinations” not 100 “countries”, and I only selected the most beautiful spots in each country to show to the viewers.”

As of January 30, 2024, the couple completed 64 photo sets in 4 continents, 27 countries, and territories with more than 5,000 photos.

One time, they took photoshoots wearing Ao Dai on top of Nangkartshang with a view of Ama Dablam's peak in the Himalayas, Nepal. "I like this photo the most because it was very difficult to do with many days of continuous trekking at an altitude of over 5,000 m, lacking oxygen," said Tung.

The photo was taken on Ama Dablam's peak in the Himalayas, Nepal. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

For 2023, his family's 18-day journey to Nepal to conquer Everest Base Camp (base camp at an altitude of 5,390 m) and Gokyo Peak at an altitude of 5,483 m was the most memorable. As amateur climbers, the couple found the trip to base camp their biggest challenge.

Also in 2023, one of Tung's two favorite photos was taken at Braemar Peak in Hong Kong, China. It was taken in October 2023, highlighting the image of a red Ao Dai between skyscrapers on Hong Kong Bay. He recalled that they had to wait two days to take the photo because of bad weather conditions.

Tung said this was one of his two favorite photos of the past year because it highlighted the image of a red Ao Dai between skyscrapers on Hong Kong Bay. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

More than half of the past journey, the 54th and 55th destinations - the journey wearing ao dai to conquer Everest base camp (EBC) and the top of Gokyo Ri mountain – are among the best memories of Tung and Quynh in 2023. The couple had to trek 150 km with increasing altitude from 2,800 m to 5,500 m in the Himalayas. The 54th set of photos was taken at minus 10 degrees Celsius. In the 55th set, the two chose the top of Gokyo Ri mountain - the place with the most panoramic view, overlooking Mount Everest.

At 3 a.m., covered in snow and frost, Tung and Quynh climbed the mountain continuously for 4 hours in harsh weather conditions to reach Gokyo Ri.

Tung shared that Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia, South America), the capital Jerusalem (Israel), and the city of Bethlehem (Palestine) are three places where he enjoyed taking photos most thanks to their unique characteristics in religion, culture, and society.

As of February 2020, he and his wife have been to 12 countries and taken 28 photo sets at different destinations. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt field in the world. According to Tung, this salt field has two completely different natural forms. During the rainy season, the entire field becomes a giant mirror measuring 120,000 square kilometers, reflecting the sky.

Breath-taking photo taken in Salar de Uyuni. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

In the dry season, Salar de Uyuni becomes a pure white salt desert surrounded by Incahuasi island - where the oldest cacti exist, up to 1,200 years.

In Bethlehem, inspired by graffiti (paintings on walls) carrying anti-war messages on the streets of the artist Banksy, the couple chose white Ao Dai, symbolizing peace.

The white color of Ao Dai symbolizes peace. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

''Ao Dai 100" is the idea of bringing Ao Dai to 100 famous places in the world to promote the beauty of Vietnamese traditional clothes. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

As of January 30, 2024, Tung has made 64 photo sets in 4 continents, 27 countries, and territories with more than 5,000 photos. Photo: Hoang Thanh Tung

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